Specialist Referrals

Where referrals go

MNHC works with a network of public, hospital, and community partners so you can receive care beyond our walls — without losing continuity with your primary care provider.

• San Francisco Health Network

  Most referrals route to specialists within the San Francisco Health Network (opens in a new tab)— the city's public hospital and clinic network, including Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Chinatown Family Clinic.

• Hospital & community partners

  For specialty services not available through the public network (some surgeries, complex oncology, etc.), MNHC maintains relationships with UCSF, CPMC, and other Bay Area hospital systems.

• In-house at MNHC

  If your need can be met in-house — e.g. behavioral health, podiatry, or acupuncture — your provider will refer you to an MNHC colleague with no outside paperwork.

How the process works

1. 1

   Talk with your provider

   Discuss your symptoms or needs during your visit. If a referral is the right call, your provider starts it the same day.

2. 2

   Our Referrals team takes the handoff

   The Referrals team verifies your insurance, submits authorization paperwork, and works with the specialist's office to find an appointment.

3. 3

   We notify you when an appointment is set

   You'll get a phone call with the date, time, address, and what to bring. If you need transportation or an interpreter, tell us.

4. 4

   Attend the visit and loop back to MNHC

   After your specialist visit, results route back to your MNHC provider for follow-up — all in your unified medical record.

Check the status of a referral

Specialist authorizations typically take 7 to 21 days depending on insurance plan. If more than three weeks have passed or your condition is worsening, call us.